Dundee United

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before his side's Premiership trip to play Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Goodwin admits "we will probably be underdogs in a lot of people's eyes" against a Motherwell side who have had a "remarkable" season, but United "believe we are capable of beating any opposition on any given day".

• Goodwin says his defenders can take confidence from the midweek 0-0 draw with Aberdeen, which was just their fourth clean sheet in the league this season.

• He added that "concentration levels are going to be key" against a very good attacking team and a striker, Tawanda Maswanhise, who is "having the season of his career".

• United are seventh in the table, nine points behind Falkirk in sixth, but Goodwin insists "we certainly won't give up the fight" of getting into the top half, adding "we have just got to keep believing".

• Amid what has been an ultra-competitive top division this term, Goodwin believes "'it has been a tough tough league for everybody" and he doesn't believe "there is a team at the top of the table that looks forward to playing any of the fixtures at this moment in time".

• Immersed in a hectic schedule Goodwin admits "there is a bit of fatigue and a few bumps and bruises within the squad".

• And with three games in a week coming up the United boss stresses "we have a few decisions to make tomorrow with regards to the starting 11".

• Goodwin was again asked about the condition of the much-maligned Tannadice pitch and is disappointed it "has become this talking point".

• He adds no blame is being pointed at anyone and stresses it is not down to a lack of investment in the pitch but due to things outwith United's control - namely the horrendous weather combined with a busy schedule of fixtures.

Image source, SNS

Teenage defender Sam Cleall-Harding has signed a contract extension with Dundee United to keep him at Tannadice until summer 2029.

The academy graduate, 19, made his debut last season in the 1-0 win at Hearts and has featured six times this term.

"I'm delighted to commit my future to the club I have supported my entire life - it's a dream come true having the opportunity to represent Dundee United every week," he said.

"I'm really grateful for the trust the manager has placed in me - playing in the Scottish Premiership has really helped me develop.

"I want to repay the faith the club have shown me by becoming a valuable member of the squad."

Image source, SNS

• Motherwell's Elijah Just has been directly involved in six goals in seven Scottish Premiership games in 2026 (three goals, three assists), as many as he was in 17 appearances in the competition prior to the start of this calendar year (also three goals, three assists).

• Exactly 50 per cent of Dundee United's points in the Scottish Premiership this season have come away from home (15/30) – the highest ratio of any side.

• Motherwell have won their past three home league games against Dundee United, just one fewer than their previous 13 prior (W4 D2 L7).

• Dundee United have only won one of their past six league games against Motherwell (D1 L4), a 1-0 victory in February 2025.

• Motherwell have won their past two league games, and are looking to win three in a row for the first time since September 2023. This is the 13th time since then that they have won back-to-back league matches.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United youngster Sam Cleall-Harding has penned a new deal at Tannadice, tying him to the club until 2029.

The defender, 19, has made 10 appearances for the first-team under Jim Goodwin and has recently broken into the starting XI.

Initially making his breakthrough at the end of last season after an injury crisis limited Goodwin's options, he has had to wait for his chance this campaign.

Although he joined Airdrieonians as part of a club cooperation agreement, he has remained in Dundee and been part of every matchday squad.

He didn't make his first appearance until December though, coming off the bench against Hibs. That impressive cameo was rewarded with three starts against Livingston, Hearts and Hibs.

"I'm delighted to commit my future to the club I have supported my entire life - it's a dream come true having the opportunity to represent Dundee United every week," he told club media.

"I'm really grateful for the trust the manager has placed in me - playing in the Scottish Premiership has really helped me develop. I want to repay the faith the club have shown me by becoming a valuable member of the squad."

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

If Saturday felt familiar, Tuesday felt inevitable.

Against Kilmarnock, we did everything except finish the job. Crossbar rattled, penalty saved, chances cleared off the line and Amar Fatah produces a goal worthy of winning any game. For 85 minutes we were in control.

And yet here we are again.

One lapse + one header = one more lead surrendered. Ten games without beating Killie and the worst defensive record outside the bottom two.

Jim Goodwin called it the story of our season and it is hard to argue. We are never quite ruthless enough to see games out and never quite calm enough to see it through.

Then came Aberdeen.

A game we had to win. A game that could have reignited something. Instead we got 90 minutes of nothing aside from Pan Camara hitting the post and Kevin Nisbet missing a sitter.

A dreadful surface swallowed any rhythm that tried to exist so it ended with another draw and a first clean sheet in the league since 13 December.

That is now 12 draws in the league, more than anyone else! Too good to lose most weeks but not good enough to win enough of them.

The worry is not effort, the worry is belief. When we go ahead we look like a team waiting for something to go wrong. When we need a spark, it rarely comes.

There is talent there. Fatah proved that again, Camara is getting back in form and Manny Agyei looks a solid find in midfield, but seasons are defined by moments and right now ours are slipping through our fingers.

Top-six hopes are fading. The frustration is growing. And the story is getting old.

Ronny Costello can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external

Dundee United midfielder Emmanuel Agyei insists the much maligned Tannadice pitch is no problem for him. (Record - subscription required), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United midfielder Will Ferry says a rare clean sheet was the only positive they can take from Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Aberdeen.

It was honours even in a match of few chances on a Tannadice pitch which is still desperately trying to recover from a winter of being battered by the weather.

However, the clean sheet - just their fourth in 27 league games - was gratefully received.

"I am glad the game is done," Ferry said.

"I think that is the best way to describe it, I am just glad it is over. It can't have been great for the fans watching, it wasn't great to play in either.

"It wasn't a classic. That pitch is just awful, we both had to deal with it but I think we would have been better just not turning up and just saying 'there you go have a point each' but we got a clean sheet I suppose that is the positive to take.

"It was torture to play in.

"We have actually kept a clean sheet which is known to everyone that has been our kind of weakness. Weirdly enough we are really happy we haven't conceded."

The result does little for seventh placed United's slim top six hopes, leaving them nine points behind Falkirk who are sixth.

Their season has been hampered by the fact they have now drawn 12 - almost a third - of their Premiership games.

"That is why we are in the position that we are," Ferry added.

"But we can't dwell on what has happened in the past we have just got to move on. Unfortunately we will sit and watch [the game] tomorrow which won't be the most fun thing to do but we will analyse it, we will move on and we will see what we can do at the weekend."

United fans, we asked for your views after Tuesday night's goalless draw at home to Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ross: Well at least that put the fake top six battle to bed. A terrible game, between two poor sides, on a horrible pitch. Even taking that into account, the number of bad touches from United players was a new low. And talking of low , the atmosphere at Tannadice is a million miles away from the fevered scenes in the Celtic victory. It's gone as flat as a burst balloon. Optimism has been sucked out of the season both on and off the pitch. Ending on a positive note , our new signing Emmanuel Agyei stood out from the mediocre majority.

Andrew: Top six talk is nonsense. We are as good as our pitch. Kept a clean sheet although Kevin Nisbet missed an open goal. We've got a chance to beat St Mirren in the next home game but probably won't. We are poor but so are several other teams, thank goodness.

Tom: Two poor teams served up poor fare on a very poor pitch. Bye bye top six.

Gordon: Just an awful display of low quality football, plenty of effort but no guilt or much skill. Apart from Amar Fatah, United have no threat. Zac Sapsford has gone off the boil and Max Watters can barely simmer at best. Strap in Arabs, its not going to be easy or joyful.

Sam: Jim Goodwin has to go asap, his stubbornness with playing three centre-backs is hurting United and putting us in danger of a relegation play-off.

Dundee United and Aberdeen draw a blank in a midweek Scottish Premiership contest (UK users only).

Aberdeen's Kevin Nisbet missed an open goal and Dundee United's Panutche Camara struck the post as both sides failed to significantly boost their Scottish Premiership top-six hopes in a goalless draw.

Read the match report

Have your say

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "We knew the game was always going to be difficult given the way the pitch is at the moment.

"I don't think it suits either team and I've got to give credit to the players for the way that they approached the game. With that endeavour and commitment from both teams you always felt that it was only going to be one goal that was going to win it and unfortunately we weren't able to get that break of the ball.

"There was one chance in the first half where Camara hits the post but unfortunately it doesn't hit the back of the net. It runs across the face of the goal and there's nobody there to tap it in.

"I thought we were going to snatch it at the end when we had a flurry of opportunities in the last few minutes but unfortunately the ball wouldn't sit kindly enough.

"Can't have any arguments about the scoreline. I was really pleased with what the players gave in terms of resilience and commitment. The defence has been a wee bit fragile of late and tonight they get the clean sheet which will give the back line a bit of confidence."

In terms of the team's faint top six hopes, he said: "We let ourselves down against Kilmarnock in a game we should have been out of sight in.

"We definitely dropped two points there. I can't say the same tonight because I don't think either team had enough to win it.

"We've given ourselves a mountain to climb. We wanted to try and put a bit more pressure on to Falkirk. We still have a game in hand but it's going to be tough. We rely on ourselves going on a very good winning run and Falkirk slipping up."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United have admonished a section of their supporters for "unacceptable" behaviour both inside and outside Tannadice.

United host Aberdeen in a rearranged Scottish Premiership game on Tuesday.

And, alluding to an area of the stadium that houses the club's ultras group, a statement released on Tuesday read: "In recent weeks, behaviour within this area of the Eddie Thompson Stand has deteriorated to an unacceptable level.

"In addition, individuals associated with this section, including juveniles, have been identified as engaging in antisocial behaviour in the vicinity of the stadium and involvement in confrontations with visiting supporters following fixtures against The Spartans and Kilmarnock.

"This conduct has no place at our home stadium."

The statement added: "Dundee United will not tolerate anti-social behaviour that brings the club into disrepute and damages the reputation of our wider season ticket holders and fanbase."

Image source, SNS

• Dundee United are unbeaten in their last five Scottish Premiership meetings with Aberdeen (W3 D2), last going longer without a league defeat to them in November 1999 (seven).

• Aberdeen have lost six of their past seven league visits to Dundee United, including each of their last three in a row since a 3-1 win in March 2023. The Dons last lost four league games away to Dundee United in a row in November 2008.

• Dundee United have won each of their last three Scottish Premiership games played on a Tuesday, including a 2-0 home win over Aberdeen in September this season. Before this, they had only won three of their previous 22 top-flight matches on this day of the week (D6 L13).

• Aberdeen have lost each of their last six away league games, last losing seven successive away league outings in February 2023.

• Dundee United's Jim Goodwin, who took charge of 35 league games as Aberdeen boss from February 2022 to January 2023, has won six and lost just one of his nine managerial home games against the Dons in the Scottish Premiership (D2) – his joint-most home wins against any opponent in the competition (also six v St Johnstone).

Dundee United right-back Ryan Strain has not had any talks about a new deal despite his contract ending this summer, but the 28-year-old says it is a situation he is used to and is concentrating on playing more after injury problems. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United have lost Craig Sibbald to a hamstring injury while long-term absentee Isaac Pappoe remains out with a knee problem.

Aberdeen defender Liam Morrison drops out after his red card against Dundee but captain Graeme Shinnie returns from suspension.

Emmanuel Gyamfi is pushing for a comeback, while Stuart Armstrong, Mats Knoester, Nick Suman and Kristers Tobers are still unavailable.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin challenged his team to maintain their strong record against Aberdeen as the two sides bid to keep their top-six Premiership hopes alive on Tuesday.

United have won their past three home games against Aberdeen and are unbeaten in five matches against the Pittodrie outfit.

After a draw against Kilmarnock on Saturday, Goodwin's side trail sixth-placed Falkirk by 10 points, but have two games in hand.

"Aberdeen are in a similar situation to ourselves where they won't be happy with where they find themselves in the league table," Goodwin said.

"Our record recently against Aberdeen has been very good and we have to try and build on that.

"We feel we dropped two points on Saturday and the only way to make amends for that is to go out and win the next game.

"As much as we've given ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb in terms of catching Falkirk in sixth, we still won't give up the fight and we'll keep going right until the end.

"Obviously we're relying on Falkirk losing games and ourselves having to win a lot of the last few games before the split, but we'll keep going."

Watch the best of the action from Tannadice as Kilmarnock rescue a last-gasp draw against Dundee United. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views on Dundee United's draw at home to Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Das: Controlled the midfield for 85 minutes, then for some reason switched off. Why Jim Goodwin never killed the play with two subs, I have no idea.

Dave: Yet another pathetic defensive display at the end. This bunch of players look like a jellyfish looking for a backbone. Ross Graham as captain? Don't make me laugh! He is a bog standard defender totally out of his depth in a leadership role.

Ross: Mentality, mentality, mentality. Home league form has been horrible but we still don't learn. We sat back deep in numbers because that always works. Not. Invited the goal and just once again looked soft. Stop pressing the panic button, United.

Euan: Once again we let teams attack us by sitting back in and around our box for the last 10 minutes. Every United supporter saw it coming. What does Jim do? He stands there and watches and does nothing and then blames the players post-match. How many times does this have to happen before he realises he's the one at fault? Time's up, Jim. Move on and please do it quickly.

Andrew: Goodwin playing to hang on was the issue when we have consistently let in late goals all season. Last 10 we didn't have any possession and needed fresh legs, didn't make any subs. That's on Jim.

Matthew: That result is 100% on the manager. Everyone in the ground could see how deep the team was and that subs needed made with five minutes to go - why couldn't he? A decent team performance sabotaged by Goodwin's poor game management.

Substitute Marley Watkins' injury-time equaliser earned Kilmarnock a dramatic point after Amar Fatah's sensational strike seemed to have led Dundee United to back-to-back Scottish Premiership wins for the first time this season.

Have your say

Read the match report

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "The end result feels like a bit of a defeat given the circumstances of how we concede the equaliser, and also given the opportunities that we had during the game.

"I thought it should have been a fairly comfortable and straightforward win but unfortunately I'm stood here talking about dropping points from a leading position again, and not being able to see out the game.

"That's the main frustration.

"I can't say we don't work on that sort of situation in training, defending the box. I've tried numerous combinations in the back three and I have to say the back three for 90 minutes defended the box brilliantly. Everything Kilmarnock had thrown at us from direct balls, set plays, balls in from wide areas, I thought we defended them really well.

"Whether it was a lapse in concentration near the end of the game, I don't know. But it's criminal for us to have one of Kilmarnock's forwards wander into the penalty box unopposed and get a free header. We need to be more aggressive and there needs to be a challenge there to ensure we finish the game with all three points.

"I thought over the course of the game, playing against a Kilmarnock team that's been scoring goals at will of late, we managed well. We managed the conditions better.

"Had we won the game 2-0 or 3-0 I don't think there would have been any complaints but we haven't seen it through and dropped another couple of points from a winning position."